The Brewers and Dale Sveum now face the unenviable task of deciding which 25 players will be on their playoff roster…among the issues:
1. Ben Sheets’ spot–Sheets was on the 25-man roster before September 1, but if he’s too hurt to pitch, who would take his spot? In all likelihood, it would be a reliever, as the Crew will only go with 3 or 4 starters per series.
2. David Riske’s spot–Riske, like Sheets, was on the 25-man, but went on the DL with season-ending surgery. Todd Coffey is the likely front runner to get Riske’s spot.
3. Gabe Kapler’s OF spot–is Kapler healed enough to play…or does another outfielder, e.g Tony Gwynn, Jr., or the more versatile Joe Dillon get his spot?
We should know shortly.
UPDATE: Well, I should have checked Tom Haudricourt’s blog on jsonline.com before quickly posting mine…he also noted the three deletions, but correctly noted that Coffey would not be eligible, as he was not on the 40-man roster prior to the September 1 deadline, and put Mitch Stetter’s name out there, a logical choice. He also noted that Yovani Gallardo was not on the 40-man on that date, either, and would be added…probably as a replacement for Sheets…and affirmed that Gwynn would seem to have the edge for the OF spot if Kapler is not ready to go.
Also…Gallardo was named the starter for the first game…if Sheets is okay, Gallardo will replace Riske, leaving Stetter off.
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